International Films 2017

No Ignorance

Tseng Han Sheng / Documentary / Taiwan / 2016 / 41 min

Knowledge Zone is a vocational training school located on the Thai-Burma borders. People come to this school for the reason of learning or distributing knowledge. These people, teachers and students, are all migrant workers or exiles from Burma.

This three-storey building serving as a school exhibits scenes of daily routine of teaching and living. Above that lies these people’s predicament and awkwardness in surviving on the borders.

Following the dramatically changing political climate, Burma reopens its borders. The principal keenly prepares to go home and build a new school along with his co-teachers. When he does return to Burma, no teacher follows. The school falls apart; only the name of knowledge remains.

Where to, Miss?

Manuela Bastian / Documentary / Germany / 2015 / 83 min

Devki finds herself in a continuous conflict between her wish to be emancipated and the deeply-rooted traditions of Indian society. The film ''Where to, Miss?'' tells the story of a courageous young Indian woman in a period of three years, as she goes through three roles: daughter, wife, mother. Her biggest wish is to become a taxi driver. She would like to ensure that other women reach home safely and would like to be financially independent. On the road to achieving her goal, she must withstand the opposition of her father, then her husband and in the end her father-in-law. Her daily routine is defined by the constant battle to defend her aspirations and attempting to pave a way for her to achieve her dreams without alienating her family. ''Where to, Miss?'' follows Devki's story, as it tell us why Indian women find it difficult to free themselves from their traditional roles.

Burma, the paths of reintegration

Martin Huard & Vincent Giraldo / Documentary / France / 2016 / 57 min

In Burma, at least 10,000 people were imprisoned for protesting against the military regime since the early 60s. In prison, they experienced torture and psychological abuse. Some activists have spent more than 20 years behind bars. In 2011, the junta handed over power to a civilian government. A presidential amnesty released of hundreds of dissidents. "Burma: the paths of reinstatement" shows their painful return to society. The film shows the current lives of these activists who fought against the military junta and the problems they face : psychological disorders, poor health, exclusion. A critical issue in the national reconciliation process undertaken by Aung San Suu Kyi.

Ma Yan Chan – Waves of Transition

Jonas Scheu / Documentary / Switzerland / 2016 / 29 min

For generations, the Dockers and their families have lived and worked on the Irrawaddy riverbank in Mandalay, the ancient royal capital of Myanmar. In a time of great transition, their lifestyle is suddenly threatened by Government intervention resulting in lasting transformation. Against their will, the authorities try to dislocate them into newly built concrete buildings.

After the sewol

Matthew Root & Neil P. George / Documentary / Korea / 2016 / 94 min

On the 16th April 2014 South Korea was changed as a nation. After the days, weeks and months that followed the Sewol tragedy, the country became undone, untrusting and more divided than we have ever seen in its history.

‘After the Sewol’ explores the changing faces of this nation through the eyes of two British film makers. They talk with relatives of the victims, rescue divers and activists about their struggles and battles since this tragic accident happened and embark upon a journey to uncover how this accident came about, looking deep into Korean history about why no action was taken to prevent it in the first place.

This journey takes them all over Korea, meeting an older generation struggling to create a safer place for their children to live in and a young vibrant generation fighting for a corrupt free society. But, all of them searching for one thing, the truth about why the Sewol victims died.

Mr. Ga Ga

Tomer Heymann / Documentary / Israel / 2015 / 100 min

Ohad Naharin, artistic director of the Batsheva Dance Company, is regarded as one of the most important choreographers in the world. Meeting him at a critical turning point in his personal life, this spirited and insightful documentary will introduce you to a man with great artistic integrity and an extraordinary vision. Filmed over a period of eight years, director Tomer Heymann mixes intimate rehearsal footage with an extensive unseen archive and breathtaking dance sequences. This story of an artistic genius who redefined the language of modern dance is guaranteed to leave you skipping.

Mixed Feelings

Guy Davidi / Documentary / Israel - Norway / 2016 / 78 min

When Israel attacks Gaza, acting teacher Amir Orian can't withhold his objections to the war. While performing on stage, his students' deep emotions explode, yet their protest against his views threatens the existence of the theater he created in his own living room. Despite the conflict Amir encourages his students to find their strength to be vulnerable and weak on stage. It's his modest way to create change. Filmed between two wars, 'Mixed Feelings' captures the ongoing collapse of Israeli civil society. Yet it's a compassionate story about cultural resistance through theater and the controversial nature of genuine political education.

The Art of Moving

Liliana Marinho de Sousa / Documentary / Germany / 2016 / 89 min

Daya Al-Taesh is an anti-IS satirical web series created by a group of Syrian video activists. They produce the episodes from their base in Gaziantep, Turkey. After receiving threats from IS supporters they leave to Istanbul with the aim to broadcast an improved topical-comedy show for Syrian TV. But obstacles keep arising in an already unstable situation, pressuring the group’s work and friendships. They are forced to make decisions about the future of their activism and the possibility of stable life in Istanbul, or elsewhere. This film is refreshing take on the refugee crisis, the encroachment of IS and the fateful choices left to Syria’s Youth.

Anastasia Lin: The Crown

Kacey Cox / Documentary / China / 2016 / 21 min

After being crowned Miss World Canada, China-born actress and human rights activist Anastasia Lin discovers that local authorities have threatened her father in an effort to silence her criticisms of the Chinese government. And when China is named host of the Miss World Finals, Anastasia must confront the possibility that she’ll be banned from competing unless she complies.

Burma Storybook

Peter Lom & Corinne Van Egeraat / Documentary / Netherland / 2017 / 80 min

Burma Storybook is a parade of charactes, poems and cinema veritè scenes set in this enchantingly beautiful land trying to recover from six decades of fear and suffering. The main story of Maung Aung Pwint, Burma’s most famous dissident poet, who has spent many years behind bars for his political activism. The yearning for his lost son, who lives in political exile in Finland, and his long-awaited return home after 20 years, are at the heart of the film.